Scientists
at the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) are using satellite
data to monitor the long-term effects of heat stresses on several coral
reefs throughout the world.

While the scientists have been monitoring
the stresses for some time, NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite,
Data, and Information Service is now providing an operational product
called “Degree Heating Week”.

“Degree
Heating Weeks (DHW)
have been available experimentally for some time,” said Dr. Alan
Strong, coordinator of Coral
Reef Watch at NOAA Satellites and Information. “Turning operational
means that coral reef managers and stake holders will now have up-to-date,
accurate, and reliable information on the status of their reefs and
may be able to take active measures to prevent further damage if their
site has a high DHW rating.”

Using
satellite-derived information, DHW’s continuously monitor the
cumulative thermal stress of several coral reefs throughout the globe,
including Australia’s
Great Barrier Reef, Galapagos,
the Bahamas,
and others. The extent and acuteness of thermal stress, key predictors
of coral bleaching, contribute to coral reef degradation worldwide.

Coral
reefs compose a large and integral part of the coastal ocean, supporting
a variety of sea life and providing resources of significant economic
importance. Coral bleaching occurs as coral tissue expels zooxanthellae,
a symbiotic algae essential to coral survival that resides within the
structure of the coral. Bleaching is induced by high water temperatures.

A Degree Heating Week is designed to indicate
the accumulated stress experienced by coral reefs. For example, if the
current temperature of a reef site exceeds the maximum expected summertime
temperature by one degree Celsius, then the site receives a rating of
1 DHW. If the current temperature at the site is two degrees Celsius
above the maximum expected summertime temperature or one degree above
for a period of two weeks, the site would receive a rating of 2 DHWs,
and so on.

With
the operational product, NOAA Satellites
and Information will provide continuous technical support on a 24-hour,
seven-day basis, and will maintain a Web site which will be updated
twice a week.

NOAA
Satellites and Information is the nation’s primary source of space-based
meteorological and climate data. NOAA Satellites and Information operates
the nation's environmental
satellites, which are used for weather and ocean observation and
forecasting, climate monitoring and other environmental applications.
Applications include sea-surface temperature, fire detection, ozone
monitoring.

The
Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration
(NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic
security and national safety through the prediction and research of
weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship
of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.